MARIETTA, Ohio Like most MC student-athletes, Evan Tsourtsoulas (Kastoria, Greece) is enjoying the last month of his summer vacation. Unlike everyone else, however, Tsourtsoulas is spending his summer doing something others could only dream of represent their country at a World Championships. For Tsourtsoulas, who will be a junior this fall, it is a dream come true, as he was selected to represent Greece in the World Rowing Under 23 Championships, which will be held this weekend (July 21-24) in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Tsourtsoulas, who just a year ago had the opportunity to carry the Olympic Torch as it made its way through his hometown toward Athens for the for the Opening Ceremonies of the 2004 Olympic Games, has teamed up with fellow countryman Giorgios Tsiompanidis to compete in the Senior B Mens Pair race.
Greece will battle Latvia, Serbia and Montenegro, Canada and Germany in its opening heat. The Grand Final is slated for Sunday (July 24).
"This is an amazing accomplishment for Evan," said Grand Valley Head Coach John Bancheri, who coached Tsourtsoulas for two seasons at Marietta. "I am so proud of him!"
Tsourtsoulas was also a member of the 2003 Greek Junior National Rowing Team.
A record number of 51 nations represented by over 700 athletes in 19 events have entered the 2005 World Rowing Under 23 Championships on the Bosbaan International Regatta Course in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
The event acts as a stepping-stone for athletes on their way to elite status who have advanced from junior status, but are still developing their skills. Many of these young athletes have already taken part in several Rowing World Cup events this season, and some were already part of the Under 23 field in 2004.
The U23 event has been in existence for nearly 30 years. It was held for the first time in 1976 in Macon, France. Formerly known as the Nation's Cup and the Match des Seniors, this is the first time that the Under 23 regatta has World Rowing Championship status. The International Federation of Rowing Associations (FISA) 2005 Extraordinary Congress in Dubrovnik, Croatia, voted to upgrade the World Rowing Under 23 Regatta to the World Rowing Championships status.
U23 rowers raced under the FISA flag for the first time in 2004.
Built in 1936, Amsterdams Bosbaan rowing course has been the venue for many national and international rowing events. It has recently gone through some heavy renovations that widened the course 32 meters to eight lanes, provided a new finish tower, a new Olympic training center as well as doubled the size of the boathouses and athlete facilities. The Bosbaan will hold the 2006 World Rowing Junior Championships, a stage of the 2007 BearingPoint Rowing World Cup and is currently bidding to host the 2009 World Rowing Championships.